By Sam Graudins. Edited by Unigo
Well, holiday gifts have been exchanged, the ball has dropped, and before you know it, it will be time to send out Valentines to all your BFFs. And you know what that means, right?
It’s time to make those New Year’s resolutions so you can max out your college experience! Here are 6 easy things you can add to your list right now so you have a fabulous (and productive!) 2018.
1. Work toward a minor
Most major courses only take three years to complete, so why not make use of those elective credits filling the rest of your schedule? Many academic courses overlap and fulfill both major and minor requirements. So, one conversation with your advisor could reveal that you’re already halfway to finishing a minor! If you’re looking for a fast, compelling, and convenient way to advance your education, or get an edge on the competition when it comes time to get a job, this is the perfect college New Years resolution.
2. Get to know your professors
Students often forget that their professors are people, too, and their lessons go far beyond what they’ve prepared for class. This year could be an excellent opportunity to establish connections with your professors outside of class. Try participating more in the classroom, stopping by for a few minutes after class, or visiting during office hours. Spending time with your teachers can offer a wealth of knowledge you won’t find anywhere else outside of college, and you may end up hitting it off and using them as a resource for finding a job some day.
3. Join a club
Teachers are important for future connections, but connections you make with fellow students are equally important. Students in the halls will eventually become peers in your field, so taking an active approach to making connections is crucial for future success! Whether it’s via an athletic club, a film project, or a musical, any connections you make will be good ones. Having a non-academic outlet can also help with your sanity — giving you a break from the stress of school. If your schedule allows, take the plunge!
4. Develop a fitness regimen
This is a pretty obvious one, but it’s especially relevant in college when you have access to free equipment! This year, get your money’s worth and take some fitness courses. A healthy body supports a healthy mind, and the more time you spend with fitness professionals, the easier it will be to develop your own solo regimen in the future. The worst thing you can do for your body is develop an unbalanced strength or cardio training that hurts more than it helps, so it’s wise to take the advice when you can get it. Regular exercise can improve brain function and even enhance brain growth — making those biology terms much easier to memorize.
5. Apply for a scholarship
Speaking of getting your money’s worth, why not ask for more money? There are plenty of opportunities out there to receive funding for your education, and Unigo has tools that make applying for scholarships even easier than you’d expect. Worst case, you don’t get the scholarship, and nothing changes. But if you do win scholarships for college, bye-bye student loans! What more incentive do you need?
6. Drink more water
If your busy college life makes these New Years resolutions seem like too much work, don’t fret. There’s an easy go-to I use as a resolution that can open doors and make bigger projects seem possible: drinking water! So how much water should I drink? It’s recommended you drink six 8-oz glasses per day. Drinking water is an essential activity that fuels both your body and your mind. Plus, it clears your skin and reduces the size of pores, so you’ll look as good as you feel. This one simple step can help you prove to yourself that you know how to keep New Year’s resolutions — even while in college, at no extra cost to you.
Any one of these New Year’s resolutions will improve your college experience and help you more fully take advantage of your education. Remember, college is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, so make the most of it!
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About the author
Sam is a life blogger from Franklin, Massachusetts, with a big heart and a bigger appetite for sweets. She loves Korean bakeries, Japanese animation, and giving you insight into her college experience. Sam is a graduate of Emerson College Emerson College in Boston.